2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Teams That Need Help on Special Teams

With field position so crucial in football, the return game is always going to play a major role. We've seen players such as Brian Mitchell (retired) and Devin Hester make careers out of it.

Even a guy like Dante Hall, who played for Kansas City (although his career was brief), wouldn't have been so well known if it weren't for his returning ability.

Although none of the players are first-rounders, regardless of their position in college, the dynamic skill to return kicks and/or punts is what gets them going in the pros.

Here are five teams that could use improved field position with a new return specialist.

Dallas Cowboys: T.Y. Hilton, Florida International

Most likely the least known player on the list, T.Y. Hilton from Florida International can do it all back deep.

Although he returned just 16 kickoffs this season, Hilton averaged 32 yards per return and racked up 512 yards.

As for punt returning, he's just as impressive—20 attempts for 186 yards, a 9.3-yard average and one TD.

Hilton would be great for the Cowboys.

Not only do they rank just No. 24 and No. 25 in kickoff and punt return average, respectively, but Hilton is good enough to solely take over both responsibilities.

In turn, they don't need to rely on so many guys in the return game. As many as nine different players have sat back deep waiting for either a punt or kickoff. If they cut that number down, the Cowboys will have more depth on offense and defense.

Buffalo Bills: Joe Adams, Arkansas

Before RB Fred Jackson went down, backup C.J. Spiller was a solid return man for the Bills.

However, heading into the 2012 NFL season, we have to expect Spiller's role to increase based on some pretty good production since filling in for Jackson.

Therefore, a punt return spot will be open as Brad Smith is the main kickoff returner. So, allow Joe Adams from Arkansas to demonstrate.

Adams is strictly a punt returner, and he does is quite well.

In 28 attempts, he has an average of 9.3 yards per return, a total of 259 yards, and three have been returned back for TDs.

Those three TDs lead the nation, and he's ranked No. 9 in average. Being that Adams plays in the SEC and more specifically, the SEC West (Alabama, LSU), that's impressive.

Bring him to Buffalo, and the Bills will win the field position battle.

Indianapolis Colts: Marquis Maze, Alabama

Like things couldn't get any worse for the Indianapolis Colts, but they do.

Through 13 weeks of play, the Colts rank dead last in average yards per return in kickoffs (17.9) and punts (3.0).

Much is definitely contributed to this by having so many injuries and a defense that can't stop anyone.

Nonetheless, it's had an effect on the return game and returns are an area of need.

Bring in Alabama's Marquis Maze, who is a dual threat when back deep. As the primary return man for the Crimson Tide, Maze averages eight yards per punt return and 26.3 yards per kickoff return.

Not bad, considering, along with Joe Adams, he plays in the SEC.

Additionally, Maze has only attempted 13 kickoff returns, so gaining 342 yards on those alone is excellent.

As for punts, he took one back to the house against Arkansas but thanks to Bama's stellar defense, Maze is given numerous chances per game to prove himself.

Needless to say, he's explosive and the Colts would welcome him.

San Diego Chargers: Devon Wylie, Fresno State

If there's one area that's killed the San Diego Chargers in recent years, it's special teams. It wasn't so much the return game until they no longer had Darren Sproles.

Now, despite having improved in other areas on special teams (like blocking for punts and tackling), their return game has suffered more than expected.

Devon Wylie from Fresno State is here to help.

Wylie ranks No. 2 in the nation with an 11.2 yards per punt return average and has taken two back for six. Collectively, he's accounted for 446 punt return yards on 40 attempts.

Back to San Diego, the Bolts rank just No. 25 (tied with Dallas) in average yards per punt return (8.0) and have only returned 29 on the year.

Obviously, the defense must improve as well, but giving a dangerous player like Wylie some opportunities will pay off.

New York Giants: Keshawn Martin, Michigan State

Definitely in need of more punt return production, the New York Giants average just 7.1 yards per punt return and rank No. 28 in the NFL.

Not to mention their season long is just 18 yards—second worst only to Carolina's long of 17 yards.

Considering the explosiveness of Michigan State's Keshawn Martin, he would be a significant improvement in New York.

43 returns for 271 yards and one TD may not seem like much compared to most. However, he's taken more of a WR role this season and still pulled double duty.

Last season, he also took a punt back and played a major role on kickoffs as well.

With the Giants' mediocre kickoff return team, Martin would make that area improve. As a sophomore and junior, he combined for 1,020 kickoff return yards on just 43 attempts.

Sign him to the Big Apple, and big plays are on the way.

2012 First Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	18. Tennessee Titans: Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, DB (LSU)	19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
4. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)	20. Cincinnati (From Oak): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stan.)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devon Still, DT (Penn St.)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (ND)	22. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
7. Cleveland Browns: Alshon Jeffery, WR (S. Car.)	23. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
8. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	24. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)
9. Seattle Seahawks: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	25. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)
10. Washington Redskins: Montee Ball, RB (Wisc.)	26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
11 .Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB (N.D.)	27. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Mich. St.)
12. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clem)	28. N.E. (From N.O.): Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)
13. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	29. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
15. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)	31. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB (B.C.)
16. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

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